Kalen DeBoer describes how he implements a winning culture where he goes

Kalen DeBoer is a proven winner everywhere he has gone during his head coaching career. More of the same is expected as he enters year one as Alabama‘s head coach.

According to DeBoer, he learned a major lesson during his time as a player that went on to reshape his mindset as he transitioned to the coaching space.

“I always go back to when I was a player at Sioux Falls, we were 2-8 my freshman year and we were 14-0 and national champs my senior year,” DeBoer said during an episode of ‘Bussin with the Boys.’ “And I knew what the culture looked like what it felt like as a player the first year and also what it took to get there. Over those four years, and I always just remember that it was the relationships. It was the consistency you got from the people that were in the building or on the team and just the work that it put in, so it was fun.

“I enjoyed the process, which, I think our entire team did and so I try to make that what we have here [at Alabama], and wherever I’ve been trying to make an environment, or facilitate an atmosphere that’s full of energy.”

Since he’s been coaching at college football’s highest level, DeBoer has lost just three games and was undefeated against ranked opponents until Washington lost to Michigan in the national championship game this past season.

Overall, he’s 104-12 as a head coach across all levels and has three NAIA National Championships to his credit, winning them in a four-year span between 2006-2009. After multiple stops throughout the Division I level, he became a head coach again in 2020 and coached Fresno State to a 9-3 season in 2021 before moving on to Washington. All along the way he continued to surround himself with the right people.

“You know that you can find the driven people and let them go do their thing, whether it’s coaches or players and they enjoy each and every moment,” DeBoer continued. “They enjoy everyone that’s a part of it, and just be — let’s go have some fun, let’s cut it loose. Let’s make the most of every opportunity.”

Now, DeBoer looks to continue his winning ways in Tuscaloosa as he is expected to have his team compete for conference and national championships right away. The margin for error is slightly bigger than what Nick Saban had to work with now that the College Football Playoff field has expanded to 12, but not by much. Still, the mission remains the same — bring a title back to Tuscaloosa.